Houston Dynamo Academy U-16s to play in U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week

Championship tournament to be held in Houston July 14-20

July 10, 2013

Houston Dynamo Communications

The Houston Dynamo Academy U-16 team, presented by Statoil, will participate in the 2012-13 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week at Houston Amateur Sports Park from July 14-18. Should the Dynamo Academy U-16s advance out of the group stage, they will play in the championship match at BBVA Compass Stadium on July 20.

The U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week features eight teams in both the U-15/16 and U-17/18 age brackets competing for their respective national championships. The eight teams in each age group are divided into two four-team groups for a round-robin group stage. The winners of each group advance to the championship match.

“The success of the U-16s this season is due to the hard work and dedication of the players on the team as well as the efforts of those on the Academy staff, who are intent on making this one of the best development academies in the country,” said Dynamo Assistant Director of Youth Development Eddie Robinson. “I encourage soccer fans of all ages to come support the Dynamo and get a glimpse of the future of the club.”

The Dynamo U-16s, coached by Robinson, take on hometown rival Texans SC Houston on Sunday, July 14 at 5:30 p.m. CT. The next match is on Tuesday, July 16 at 8 p.m. against Real Salt Lake-Arizona. In the last game of the group stage, the Dynamo face Albertson SC on Thursday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. All matches are free and open to the public.

The winner of the group will play in the championship match at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, July 20.

The 2012-13 Dynamo U-16 squad is the first team in Dynamo Academy history to reach Finals Week. The Dynamo won their U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs group with a 3-0-0 record to advance to this stage. That record includes a 3-1 victory over defending national champions New York Red Bulls to clinch their spot.